Segment Information (Operating Results) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023	Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2024	Jun. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	$ (44)		$ (282)		$ (777)	$ (974)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(23)		(73)		(191)	(240)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(21)	$ (565)	(209)	$ (525)	(586)	(734)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Net investment gains (losses)	(120)		(65)		(163)	(161)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(1,276)		(1,172)		(2,499)	(2,207)
Change in market risk benefits	357		1,299		1,795	1,101
Market value adjustments	503		446		999	862
Net income (loss) attributable to Brighthouse Life Insurance Company	(22)		(210)		(587)	(735)
Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	700		630		1,374	1,222
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	110		107		206	196
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	314		317		630	571
Interest expense	0		0		0	0
Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest revenue	162		140		312	279
Interest expense	16		18		33	36
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	388		328		201	565
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	68		54		14	83
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	320		274		187	482
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings (loss)	319		273		186	481
Operating Segments | Annuities
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	399		338		774	700
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	75		63		146	131
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	324		275		628	569
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	324		275		628	569
Operating Segments | Life
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	39		33		(56)	59
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	9		7		(12)	12
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	30		26		(44)	47
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	30		26		(44)	47
Operating Segments | Run-off
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(37)		(22)		(469)	(155)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(8)		(5)		(99)	(33)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(29)		(17)		(370)	(122)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0		0		0	0
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(29)		(17)		(370)	(122)
Operating Segments | Corporate & Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Pre-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(13)		(21)		(48)	(39)
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	(8)		(11)		(21)	(27)
Post-tax adjusted earnings (loss)	(5)		(10)		(27)	(12)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1		1		1	1
Adjusted earnings (loss)	(6)		(11)		(28)	(13)
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Provision for income tax expense (benefit)	91		127		205	323
Net investment gains (losses)	(120)		(65)		(163)	(161)
Net derivative gains (losses), excluding investment hedge adjustments	(674)		(1,847)		(2,620)	(2,474)
Investment Hedge Adjustment	(10)		(22)		(23)	(61)
Change in market risk benefits	357		1,299		1,795	1,101
Market value adjustments	$ 5		$ 3		$ 10	$ (5)